The Author Is Dumb

The Author Is Dumb is a Substack focused on critical and personal perspectives on various forms of media including films, TV shows, professional wrestling, and literature. It explores themes of reimagining and understanding media, the dynamics of storytelling, and the impact of digital and traditional publishing on authors.

Film and Television Analysis Literature and Book Publishing Professional Wrestling Artificial Intelligence in Writing Digital Art and Scams Storytelling Techniques Personal Musings and Experiences

The hottest Substack posts of The Author Is Dumb

And their main takeaways

The Curse (2023)

4 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration TV Series
  1. The show explores complex themes like reality TV, relationships, and art through absurd and tension-filled storytelling.
  2. The performances, especially by Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder, are standout and captivating.
  3. The finale episode is a bizarre and singular experience that blends humor, horror, and emotional impact in a thought-provoking way.

Saltburn (2023)

4 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Critique Performance Satire
  1. The film Saltburn may have flaws but watching it was a blast.
  2. Critics tend to grade films on a curve and personal preference plays a big role.
  3. Saltburn is a messy film with sexually transgressive scenes, but its weirdness and audacity make it stand out.

A non regeneration regeneration story

4 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Entertainment Media
  1. In Doctor Who, the concept of regeneration allowed for the show's longevity by enabling recasting and cancellation simultaneously.
  2. Each Doctor in Doctor Who brings a departure from the previous one, creating a new show with a separate identity each time.
  3. The show's ability to reinvent itself through regeneration is unique and something only Doctor Who can continuously do.

Super Mario Bros. (2023)

3 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Entertainment Opinion Art Review
  1. The Super Mario Bros. (2023) movie lacks depth and original storytelling, focusing more on fan service.
  2. Current Hollywood trends prioritize fidelity to intellectual property over creative storytelling.
  3. Despite its entertainment value for young audiences, the film misses the opportunity to incorporate classic story elements for a more enriching experience.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Dangerous Things

1 implied HN point • 02 Jul 23
📚 Literature Books Reading eBooks Libraries Authors
  1. Books can provide us with new worlds and experiences that change us for the better
  2. Libraries play a crucial role in providing access to diverse works and should be supported
  3. Digital formats like Kindle can offer privacy and access to books, making reading more inclusive

Strong Force (1981)

1 implied HN point • 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Director Cinema Action
  1. Andy Wu's Strong Force (1981) is a historical film connecting wuxia and gun fu genres in Hong Kong cinema.
  2. John Woo's A Better Tomorrow (1986) transformed the Hong Kong action cinema style by focusing on street-level crime and gun play.
  3. Strong Force faced challenges and was not widely recognized, becoming a forgotten curio due to its controversial content and lack of impact.

The Instagram Art Swamp

1 implied HN point • 08 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration NFTs Scams Social media
  1. Be wary of scams in the NFT and crypto space, especially concerning offers that seem too good to be true.
  2. Watch out for Instagram engagement tactics that may not be genuine, such as DM requests for promotion packages.
  3. Beware of NFT brokers who promise exposure to big investors but may push you into paying more without delivering results.

Wrestling is wrestling but sometimes it sucks

1 implied HN point • 29 Apr 23
🎾 Sports Wrestling Entertainment History Storytelling Performance
  1. Professional wrestling transitioned from real competition to entertainment to cater to the crowd's desire for entertainment.
  2. The wrestling industry experienced different eras, such as the territorial system, the national expansion by WWE, and the peak popularity during the Attitude Era.
  3. Despite its flaws, pro wrestling uniquely combines storytelling, athleticism, and entertainment, offering a tailored and predetermined form of excitement.

Motion picture stories

1 implied HN point • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film Art Narrative Music Experience
  1. Cinema can go beyond just storytelling and overwhelm audiences with various experiences.
  2. Film as a medium has traditionally been thought of mainly for delivering narratives.
  3. Exploring cinema as a form of overwhelming sensory experience, like music, may lead to new and more intriguing possibilities.

An appreciation of Psycho (1998)

1 implied HN point • 07 Mar 23
📚 Literature Film analysis
  1. Gus Van Sant attempted a shot-for-shot remake of 'Psycho' (1960), which was met with widespread rejection.
  2. It is nearly impossible to recreate a film shot-for-shot due to various factors, including actors and production details.
  3. Despite the criticism, the audacity of the experiment and the potential for reevaluation make 'Psycho' (1998) an interesting piece of filmmaking.

That Reminds Me Of...

1 implied HN point • 19 Aug 22
  1. The author got invited to be on a podcast called 'That Reminds Me Of...' where they discussed the most recent Thor movie.
  2. The author had a great time making jokes on the show and hopes to be invited back in the future.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives by subscribing to 'The Author Is Dumb' with a 7-day free trial.

After Images [6]

0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
📚 Literature Short Story
  1. The room felt suffocating and I couldn't sleep.
  2. An eerie event outside and disturbing thoughts kept haunting the narrator.
  3. Whiskey brought temporary relief but further distress later.

The AI are coming

0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
  1. A new form of intelligent life will emerge, changing the way we view writing and impacting the publishing industry.
  2. Authors will still be relevant, but will need to adapt to stand out and connect with their audience in the face of AI-generated content.
  3. The emergence of AI poses a threat to authors, but also offers opportunities for those who can adjust to the changing landscape.

American Conspiracy

0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Trumpism
  1. Visual information can often lead to pareidolia, where our brains see patterns that may not be there.
  2. Conspiracy theories, while often not based on truth, can reveal deeper truths about societal beliefs and fears.
  3. QAnon represents a complex meta-conspiracy theory that intertwines various other conspiracy elements and revolves around grievance politics and a warped sense of reality.

Hammerbarn

0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting Marketing Family Pop culture
  1. Bunnings rebranded as Hammerbarn to capitalize on Bluey's popularity.
  2. The event at Hammerbarn was chaotic with long lines and crowded aisles.
  3. Despite the crowded event, checkout at Hammerbarn was surprisingly quick.

Hustle and Grind

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing Genres Marketing Authors Books
  1. Selling a book involves more than just writing - it's also about marketing and positioning yourself
  2. Genre fiction dominates the market, making it challenging for unique books to stand out
  3. Authors, especially indie ones, need to run ads, get reviews, and constantly promote their work to gain traction

You don't want to be part of the X-Men

0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
😂 Humor Satire Comedy
  1. Being part of the X-Men may not be as glamorous as it seems
  2. The Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters may not provide a quality education
  3. The teachers at the school may not be well-qualified or provide a proper curriculum

Thumb War 2024: Debates

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Election GOP Candidates Trump
  1. Debates in US presidential politics may not significantly sway voter opinions due to increased partisanship and candidates spewing focus-grouped lines.
  2. Primary debates can be valuable for low-information voters to get a sense of candidates, especially unknown ones.
  3. Candidates in the GOP primary need to directly challenge Trump to stand out, as his base remains loyal even amidst controversies.

Oppenheimer (2023)

0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Film Critique Director Cinema Art
  1. The reviewer enjoys watching movies and shares thoughts on recent films like Mank and Oppenheimer.
  2. The reviewer discusses their mixed feelings on Nolan's work and specifically on the film Oppenheimer.
  3. The reviewer reflects on the lack of emotional depth and clear thematic message in Oppenheimer, questioning Nolan's ability to convey deeper meaning through his films.